The slideshow of all our lives

A photo essay of a week in Mexico - day 2 - part 2

2009-09-30T16:05:00.005-07:00

After I left Tlatelolco, I took the bus back and got off near the Belles Artes building. The building is probably the epicenter of high culture in Mexico City, with museum exhibits, a performing arts hall and murals by Diego Rivera and other famous Mexican painters. I was running a little behind schedule, so I didn't have time to visit inside, and for some reason, museums make me very, very sleepy.

So instead I headed for the nearest Metro station and headed south on the subway to Coyoacan. Before I write about Coyoacan, I thought I would say a few words about the Mexico City Metro. Your typical guidebook gives you this impression that the Metro is a den of pickpockets and thieves, so when I first went to Mexico City in 2005 I was a little apprehensive. Once I actually got on the Metro my fears subsided instantly. I think the guidebooks must have liability concerns because the Metro is a cakewalk compared to riding nearly any Metro bus in Seattle, where I live. Generally, on the Mexico City Metro people are polite and quiet, especially in the middle of the day on weekdays. On weekends and during rush hours it gets crowded and a little noisier, but no big deal.

The strangest thing are the vendors who come through the cars selling their wares. You hear them before you see them. The sales pitch comes on loud, high and trilling. Often I've seen guys with giant boom boxes hanging on their chest, cranked up as loud as they can go and playing the mix CD they've got for sale. There was also the lady selling these giant pencils, this was the end of August so I assumed it was some kind of back to school sale. Usually, people seem to ignore the vendors with this kind of world weary stare ahead. I don't think I've ever seen a sale made, but I'm sure it happens.

What I'm trying to say is, if you're going to go to Mexico City, get over any fears you might have and take the Metro. Buy a money belt if you're scared about pickpockets and don't look like a tourist (no shorts, okay. Actually I actually saw a couple Mexican men wearing shorts in Mexico City this time. That was a first.). The metro is the fastest easiest and cheapest way to get around Mexico City. It's 2 pesos (about 17 cents) to go anywhere in the city as long as you don't leave the station. You could ride the thing all day long (not that I suggest you do) for 2 pesos. You will quickly find that riding a bus (unless they are bus rapid transit or have dedicated lanes), a taxi, a rental car (don't) or a colectivo (it's a little bus) will take you forever to get anywhere unless it's early in the morning or late at night. Especially if where you're going is a long way, like Coyoacan.

Next: your guide arrives in Coyoacan.

A photo essay of a week in Mexico - day 2 - part 1

2009-09-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

And so the second day arrived with the question of what to do? My taxi driver from the airport had suggested I see the ruins at Tlatelolco. Sounds good I thought and I read up a little on the ruins in my guidebook. The ruins are the site of one of the final battles between the Spanish and the Aztecs and home to the remnants of a great Aztec temple. The story of the Aztecs is quite astonishing. They were a wandering tribe that settled in the Valley of Mexico just 200 some years prior to the Spanish arriving and proceeded to build a complex, large civilization with stunning architecture, sophisticated agricultural, justicial and trading systems, and much more. The tragic part is that so much of that incredible civilization was destroyed by the Spanish based on the twin justifications of lust for gold and lust for souls through conversion. I think the latter was probably more of a rationalization of the first. Anyhow, I highly recommend reading an account of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. It is one of the most stupendous, impossible, and sad tales that you will ever read.

Before heading up to Tlatelolco, I got some breakfast at a cafe on the west side of the Alameda Central, a park several blocks west of the Zocalo. It was Sunday and the park was filled with people and vendors selling everything you could possibly want.

As I walked on the sidewalk on the south side of the park, I noticed an interesting site on Avenida Juarez, an east/west boulevard that is one of the main streets in Mexico City. The street was blocked to vehicles and instead was restricted to bicyles, pedestrians, and inline skaters. I later learned that this was part of Mayor Marcelo Ebrard's policies to improve pollution in Mexico City by promoting alternatives. The restriction on Avenida Juarez is not without controversy, though. Many street vendors have protested the policy because it hurts their business on one of their busiest days of the week.

Then it was off to the ruins at Tlatelolco, which are about two to the three miles north of the Alameda Central on another main street called Lazaro Cardenas. Here I was in for another eco surprise. The street had been recently converted so the right lanes in both directions were devoted to zero emission buses. Apparently, this also was a part of Ebrard's anti-pollution policies.

After a 15-minute, extremely crowded, bus ride I arrived at the site of the Tlatelolco ruins. As you can see, much of the Aztec temple complex was razed by the Spanish. Ironically, much of the stone was used to create cathedrals, like the one you see in the background. I guess the Spanish were trying to send a message.

At the time of my visit I knew a little about the history of the ruins. What I didn't know was some recent history. The plaza on the west side of the ruins, just to the left of the cathedral, was the scene of a horrific massacre. In 1968, thousands of students gathered at the Plaza de las Tres Culturas (Aztec, Spanish, and Mexican) to protest the Olympic games, which were being held that fall in Mexico City. Government snipers posted on the roof of the Foreign Ministry building opened fire, killing hundreds, maybe thousands of protesters. Again, at the time of my visit, I did not know about this tragic event. Yet I distinctly remembered getting chills as I stood on the plaza taking the picture. When this happened I thought the chills arose in me as I thought of the battle between the Spanish and the Aztecs. I wonder, though, if I may have sensed some of the more recent history subconsciously.

Below is a picture of the Aztec ruins with the abandoned foreign ministry building in the background. Ironically, the building is its own sort of ruin now and another reminder of the sad history of this site.

The site is also a reminder of the unique ethnic history of the Mexican people. About 80 to 90 percent of Mexicans are Mestizo, that is, mixed. They carry a mixture of Spanish and Indian DNA. Every time I visit Mexico I can't help but think of this fact. There's really no ideal comparison to it in the United States, because most of the Native Americans were wiped out by disease before Europeans arrived (read Charles C. Mann's "1491" for a fascinating look at this topic). Europeans arrived in what was to become the US one hundred years after the Spanish conquest of Mexico, So while a significant percentage of Native Mexicans died out as well, it was not before the population had become significantly Mestizo. I wonder what it must be like to carry these twin strands of DNA, and the be a part of that third culture - contemporary Mexicans. In many ways this is what is most fascinating about Mexico.

Next: Your guide travels from the north of Mexico City to the south, to Coyoacan.

A photo essay of a week in Mexico - day 1 - part 2

2009-09-28T21:13:00.000-07:00

The Zocalo in the giant square in the center of Mexico City. It's the third largest square or plaza in the world, third only to Tiananmen Square in Beijing and Red Square in Moscow. It's nothing fancy, just a solid brick mass with a gigantic flag in the center. The flag is so big that people actually stand in the shadow of the pole on hot days to beat the heat.

Or they just chill against the giant base of the pole.

Basically, it's a great place to hang out, people watch, catch a demonstration, listen to music, see the Aztec dancers, buy street food, check out the wares of the street vendors, you get the idea.

Unfortunately, I picked a bad time to visit Mexico City, at least as far as the Zocalo is concerned. That's because about two thirds of the Zocalo was inhabited by huge temporary museum exhibit celebrating the history of the Centro Historico. That's fine but, c'mon. So, a little disappointed I headed out for a walk in the rain around the Centro Historico, had a fine dinner at one of the few cafes open in the area (surprisingly, there aren't many restaurants open around the Centro Historico after 8 p.m. on a Saturday) and went back to my hotel. It had been a long day and I was tired so I went to bed. (Coming up next, day 2)

A photo essay of a week in Mexico - day 1 - part 1

2009-09-26T21:15:00.000-07:00

This is the start of my attempt to chronicle a week spent as a solo traveler in Mexico between August 29 and September 5. Most of these posts will be accompanied by pictures, but not this one, because there are no pictures from this day. First, I'll step back a bit and mention that this was my fourth trip to Mexico since 2005. On this trip I spent a three days in Mexico City, three days in the city of Zacatecas and one day in the city of Guanajuato, not necessarily in that order. Let's start with day one.

I live in Seattle and originally planned to take this trip with my girlfriend. But we were going through some rough times (rough enough that she is my ex-girlfriend) and she decided not to come with me. So I went alone, as I had done on trips to Mexico in 2007 and 2008. So I embarked on the trip with mixed feelings. I was excited to be on vacation, but it was not as I had intended.

I arrived in Mexico City late in the afternoon, where it was raining, and this being the rainy season in Mexico, that wasn't much of a surprise (and also explains why there are no pictures). So I found myself in the spanking new Terminal 2 at the Benito Juarez Airport. I love that terminal and if you like modern architecture you may like it too. All whites and blacks and circles letting in natural light. It's got a bit of Kubrick in it.

My chief problem upon arrival was losing my pen and needing one to fill out the customs form and the swine flu declaration. Fortunately, a kind soul loaned me their pen and after clearing customs I was off to the authorized taxi station. The authorized taxi station is ostensibly where you can hire a taxi for a fixed rate and not worry about getting robbed, or so the tourist books say. And it's always worked out fine. When you're a solo traveler and speak un poquito espanol, taxis are one of the best places to talk to Mexicans. Essentially, you are alone with one other human being for a half and hour and there's not much to do but talk and look out the window. Fortunately, my taxi driver, Andre, spoke about as much English as I do Spanish and we had a wonderful Spanglish conversation in which I talked about my plans and he informed me it was his first day on the job, or second, I can't exactly remember. Anyhow, he was incredibly friendly and helpful. Now you're not supposed to tip authorized taxi drivers, but he deserved one, so I gave him 200 pesos, if I recall correctly, which is a fairly big tip, at least for me. I checked in at my hotel, the Hotel Isabel. The Hotel Isabel is in the Centro Historico of Mexico City. I've stayed there three times now. It's about five blocks from the big plaza in Mexico City, the Zocalo, and only about $20 a night. For $20 you get a big room in a reasonably nice hotel with hot water, a tv and a safe. The safes never work, though, and I can never be bothered to talk to the reception desk about it. After unpacking my things and resting for a while after a long night I set out towards the Zocalo in the rain.

The balloon

2009-08-11T20:26:00.001-07:00

The balloon
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Detail from the playground at the Good Shepherd Center in Seattle's Wallingford neighborhood.

Outside the Sunset Tavern

2009-07-22T22:17:00.001-07:00

Outside the Sunset Tavern
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Candid street portrait outside the Sunset Tavern in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood

The Sunset Tavern

2009-07-20T22:54:00.001-07:00

The Sunset Tavern
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From the bar at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard.

Pathway at Rialto Beach

2009-07-19T20:31:00.001-07:00

Pathway at Rialto Beach
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From Rialto Beach on the northwest coast of Washington

The Thinker

2009-07-18T20:40:00.001-07:00

The Thinker
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Another one from First Thursday in Occidental Park in Pioneer Square.

The Dancers

2009-07-18T20:37:00.001-07:00

The Dancers
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From First Thursday in Occidental Park in Pioneer Square.

Two dogs

2009-07-18T17:38:00.001-07:00

Two dogs
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Resisting the master

Master of Puppets

2009-07-18T17:27:00.001-07:00

Master of Puppets
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

This has a bit of a carnival quality to it. From Occidental Avenue in Seattle's Pioneer Square.

Gasworks Park seen from Lake Union

2009-06-02T16:44:00.001-07:00

Gasworks Park seen from Lake Union
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

I went kayaking and learned how awkward bringing a camera can be. Somehow I managed to keep the lens dry.

St. John the Evangelist

2009-05-18T21:49:00.001-07:00

St. John the Evangelist
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

A catholic church in Greenwood

Blue bicycle

2009-05-18T20:41:00.001-07:00

Blue bicycle
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Old blue bicycle found along Seaview Avenue on Shilshole Bay in Seattle

Shoes on a pole

2009-05-18T20:37:00.001-07:00

Shoes on a pole
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Bless the people who do stuff like this. They make the world a better place. From Ballard Avenue in Seattle.

Ferry rows

2009-05-14T23:10:00.001-07:00

Ferry rows
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seating on the Vashon to Fauntleroy Ferry

Coin op telescope

2009-05-14T23:09:00.001-07:00

Coin op telescope
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From Alki Beach in Seattle

Ferry bathroom

2009-05-14T23:05:00.001-07:00

Ferry bathroom
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Bathroom on the Vashon to Fauntleroy Ferry

cup of coffee

2009-05-07T16:51:00.001-07:00

cup of coffee
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

a cup of coffee on the table at the Sitting Room in Seattle

Organ grinder on the Zocalo

2009-05-06T10:06:00.001-07:00

Organ grinder on the Zocalo
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

On the sidewalk in front of the cathedral in Mexico City

Zocalo Aztec dancers in Mexico City

2009-05-06T10:04:00.001-07:00

Zocalo Aztec dancers in Mexico City
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From May 2008 in the Zocalo in Mexico City

Jesus and goldfish

2009-04-19T14:12:00.001-07:00

Jesus and goldfish
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Teach a man how to wield fish for religious purposes and he will be able to command an army of badass plastic fish.

Hoh Forest 11

2009-04-11T14:12:00.001-07:00

Hoh Forest 11
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

from the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park. Using a lensbaby here.

Hoh Forest 12

2009-04-11T14:09:00.001-07:00

Hoh Forest 12
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

from the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park.

crosswalk push button

2009-04-11T11:54:00.001-07:00

crosswalk push button
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Greenwood in the house

Hoh Forest-7

2009-04-11T10:50:00.001-07:00

Hoh Forest-7
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Images from the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park.

Hoh Forest-5

2009-04-08T22:55:00.001-07:00

Hoh Forest-5
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From the Hoh Rain Forest in Olympic National Park

Cabins, Beer, Film

2009-04-08T22:04:00.001-07:00

Cabins, Beer, Film
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

The three food groups. On the road to the Hoh Rain Forest. We didn't see the Hoh Rain Forest, we only saw a part of it.

Behind the lens

2009-04-01T16:43:00.001-07:00

Behind the lens
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Kate the paparazzi.

Handles-1

2009-03-30T21:50:00.001-07:00

Handles-1
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Found in those cool and weird warehouses west of downtown Tacoma. I swear, a Tacoma version of Reservoir Dogs could be filmed there.

Electronically armed-1

2009-03-30T21:46:00.001-07:00

Electronically armed-1
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Put your toe in the water and you're a goner. From the city of Destiny.

Tacoma Photo Safari-1

2009-03-27T12:48:00.001-07:00

Tacoma Photo Safari-1
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Images from the great photo date with Kate, Tacoma style.

Tacoma Photo Safari-2

2009-03-25T00:20:00.001-07:00

Tacoma Photo Safari-2
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Images from the great photo date with Kate, Tacoma style.

SLUT poles

2009-03-24T11:58:00.001-07:00

SLUT poles
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

This is where Seattle's South Lake Union Trolley goes to sleep. The acronym has led to much frivolity.

Abstract #5

2009-03-18T23:02:00.001-07:00

Abstract #5
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Another one in this series. A few more are coming.

goldfish

2009-03-18T13:10:00.001-07:00

goldfish
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

One of the few land goldfish I've seen around these parts.

Ricola

2009-03-18T13:09:00.001-07:00

Ricola
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Sculpture detail at the Ballard Locks

Silver

2009-03-18T13:08:00.001-07:00

Silver
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Another part of a sculpture near the fish ladder at the Ballard Locks.

orange and red

2009-03-18T13:06:00.001-07:00

orange and red
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Abstract collage #2

abstract #4

2009-03-15T20:59:00.001-07:00

abstract #4
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

black and white, meet color

abstract #3

2009-03-13T08:26:00.001-07:00

abstract #3
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

A slightly different take on the earlier theme.

yellow and blue

2009-03-12T14:58:00.001-07:00

yellow and blue
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

abstract collage #1

Kate and Kirsten in the bushes

2009-03-07T20:34:00.001-08:00

Kate and Kirsten in the bushes
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Again in the secret garden at the Ballard Locks

Ornament in March-1

2009-03-07T20:15:00.001-08:00

Ornament in March-1
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Christmas ornament and lights found on Market Street in Ballard

columbia center-2

2009-03-04T23:56:00.001-08:00

columbia center-2
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seattle's tallest building next to one of its smallest trees.

volunteer trees

2009-02-26T11:40:00.001-08:00

volunteer trees
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From the trail to the beach at volunteer park

The steps

2009-02-13T00:01:00.001-08:00

The steps
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Porch found on a walk in West Seattle.

The swimmer

2009-02-13T00:00:00.003-08:00

The swimmer
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Found near Alki Beach in West Seattle. I like this one.

The thinker

2009-02-13T00:00:00.001-08:00

The thinker
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Statue on the lawn of that home on Alki in West Seattle. You know, the really old one.

two dogs on the street

2009-02-12T23:59:00.001-08:00

two dogs on the street
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Awww.... outside cafe on Alki in West Seattle. Inspired somewhat by Elliott Erwitt

monkey loves pearls

2009-01-26T22:36:00.001-08:00

monkey loves pearls
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Shop window stuff, with some kinda something.

cops on bikes

2009-01-26T22:26:00.001-08:00

cops on bikes
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

The men in black

the prisoner eating apple

2009-01-25T23:28:00.001-08:00

the prisoner eating apple
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Chad doesn't like getting his picture taken, so the safety vest provided the perfect remedy.

this way to the streetlight

2009-01-19T00:06:00.001-08:00

this way to the streetlight
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Sculpture on the pedestrian overpass near the Henry Art Gallery on the UW campus.

brick, sky and shadow

2009-01-18T22:52:00.001-08:00

brick, sky and shadow
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

A slightly abstract look at the brick towers in Red Square at the University of Washington. I'm sure this has been done a million times, but I like how it came out.

Arms folded

2009-01-17T17:34:00.001-08:00

Arms folded
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From the Coyoacan neighborhood of Mexico City. Coyoacan used to be its own town, but was absorbed by the expansion of Mexico City.

orange pepper in tree

2009-01-11T22:54:00.001-08:00

orange pepper in tree
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Certain trees magically grow orange peppers. I found this one in Ballard.

orange heat lamps

2009-01-11T22:53:00.003-08:00

orange heat lamps
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Heat for the fine folks at the Sunday market in Ballard

orange pepper on leaf

2009-01-11T22:53:00.001-08:00

orange pepper on leaf
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Yummy

orange pepper on lincoln town car

2009-01-11T22:52:00.001-08:00

orange pepper on lincoln town car
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seriously...

Roy and Queen Anne Ave Wall-5

2009-01-01T20:09:00.001-08:00

Roy and Queen Anne Ave Wall-5
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Wall with colored lights in a park at the corner of Queen Anne Avenue N. and Roy in Seattle.

Once for Kicks

2008-12-29T22:43:00.001-08:00

Once for Kicks
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From Dial a Fight II at the Sunset Tavern in Seattle

mausoleum of the corregidora

2008-12-29T20:09:00.001-08:00

mausoleum
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

The Mausoleum of the Corregidora in the city of Queretaro, Mexico. The mausoleum holds the remains of Dona Josefa Ortiz, a heroine of the Mexican war of independence.

UNAM

2008-12-24T00:00:00.001-08:00

UNAM
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Part of the campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México or the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

my disabled bus

2008-12-22T21:57:00.001-08:00

my disabled bus
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Just one moment from my four-hour commute to work Monday. My first bus showed up, but it was full. The next one was full. Then none came. Then I walked over to Greenwood Ave. and saw this one, but it's chains had broken off. The men in orange are the magical chain restorers, oft noted in legends.

spindly snowy trees

2008-12-21T19:58:00.001-08:00

spindly snowy trees
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Another in the Snowpocalypse series. This is one of the only, if the only, pedestrian streets in Seattle. And it lasts for one block and they let cars on it for deliveries (which explains the tire tracks). In Pioneer Square.

N. 80th Street

2008-12-21T19:56:00.001-08:00

N. 80th Street
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Snowpocalypse continues in Seattle's Greenwood neighborhood.

tree limbs over fence in the snow

2008-12-21T19:55:00.001-08:00

tree limbs over fence in the snow
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Greenwood snowpocalypse, pt. 2

Moroccan snake charmer

2008-12-19T21:24:00.001-08:00

Moroccan snake charmer
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Snake charmer at Ait Benhaddou, Morocco

Occidental

2008-12-18T20:36:00.001-08:00

Occidental
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seattle Snowpocalypse vision 4

No parking

2008-12-18T20:19:00.003-08:00

No parking
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seattle Snowpocalypse* 2008 vision 3

Snow sculpture SFD 2

2008-12-18T20:19:00.001-08:00

Snow sculpture SFD 2
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seattle Snowpocalypse* 2008 vision 2

streetcar station

2008-12-18T20:18:00.001-08:00

streetcar station
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Seattle Snowpocalypse* 2008 vision 1

* tip o' the hat to Annie Johnson

santa pictures

2008-12-15T19:36:00.003-08:00

santa pictures
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

It's even tough for Santa this year. From downtown Seattle

buy more stuff

2008-12-15T19:36:00.001-08:00

buy more stuff
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Can't you tell we're shopping!

free hugs

2008-12-15T19:35:00.001-08:00

free hugs
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

No one wants a hug. From downtown Seattle's shopping district,

Police cars

2008-12-09T23:15:00.001-08:00

Police cars
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Keeping families and kids under control at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony

Amusement

2008-11-26T11:23:00.001-08:00

Amusement
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Wild River ride at Seattle's Fun Forest. Reflection in the surface of the EMP

Little plane in a big sky

2008-11-25T17:36:00.001-08:00

Little plane in a big sky
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

A dramatic November sky and an itty bitty plane

Under the glow of Nordstrom

2008-11-25T08:16:00.001-08:00

Under the glow of Nordstrom
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Shadowy figures at the corner of 5th and Pine in Seattle

Pine Street sheen

2008-11-25T07:43:00.001-08:00

Pine Street sheen
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

The focus is on shopping

Bill Gates in Wallingford

2008-11-18T22:20:00.001-08:00

Bill Gates in Wallingford
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Found at 45th and Wallingford

smith tower with street lights

2008-11-16T22:39:00.001-08:00

smith tower with street lights
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Smith Tower and the Columbia Center obscured by trees, streetlight and Lensbaby

sidewalk railing in the sun

2008-11-13T23:11:00.001-08:00

sidewalk railing in the sun
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

After several days of rain and overcast the sun made a glorious return to Seattle Thursday. I shot this with this cool little lens called a Lensbaby. Dumb name, but amazing to shoot with. It's hard to describe, but the barrel of the lens is a rubber bellows, like those large format view camera you see with the cloth over the head of the photographer. You push and pull the lens like an accordion to focus, but it only focuses on a small area of the frame. You control what's in focus and what's out of focus. You can also bend the lens up and down and left to right to create these distorted motion blur-like effects.

Discovery at night

2008-11-12T23:07:00.001-08:00

Discovery at night
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Discovery Park that is. In Seattle. Brrr.

Ronnie Returns (again)

2008-11-10T08:31:00.001-08:00

Ronnie Returns (again)
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

He just won't go away. This time in a Fremont alley.

crash involving a VW beetle

2008-11-10T08:29:00.003-08:00

crash involving a VW beetle
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man, sir. From assignment 4 from my digital photography 2 class at Photographic Center Northwest

leaf on blue

2008-11-10T08:29:00.001-08:00

leaf on blue
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Another in the puddle reflections series. From a great puddle at Occidental and King.

corridor

2008-11-06T22:23:00.001-08:00

corridor
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Corridor at Stevens Hospital near Seattle

Red - PCNW - Assignment 2

2008-10-19T22:56:00.001-07:00

Red - PCNW - Assignment 2
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

This is red (obviously). I was having trouble with red until I remembered that I associate red with Dutch design (That may have something to do with the White Stripes, whose whole visual style was taken from the Dutch, and whose second album De Stijl, was named after a Dutch artistic movement. It then dawned on me that I was just a few blocks away from the Seattle Public Library, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas. The library with the Red Room. Lightbulb! This is the result.

Yellow - PCNW - Assignment 2

2008-10-19T22:47:00.001-07:00

Yellow - PCNW - Assignment 2
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From an assignment at Photographic Center Northwest, where I'm taking a class this fall. The assignment is to photograph something that represents colors of the rainbow, while using a white balance that gives the image a cast of one of the colors. It's not necessary to have something of the color in the photos. This is yellow. I wanted to use the sun, hence the deliberate backlighting.

high five

2008-10-18T23:22:00.001-07:00

high five
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

From one generation to another. At Westlake Center (again) in Seattle.

Masked protesters

2008-10-18T21:23:00.001-07:00

Masked protesters
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Protesting Scientology through masks at Seattle's Westlake Center.

Des Moines Beach Park

2008-10-17T17:58:00.001-07:00

Des Moines Beach Park
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Des Moines Beach Park on the shores of Puget Sound in lovely Des Moines, WA, about 15 miles south of Seattle.

Haunted apartment building

2008-10-15T08:15:00.001-07:00

Haunted apartment building
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

An apartment building on Seattle's Capitol Hill is ready for Halloween.

Lighthouse and wheel

2008-10-11T19:21:00.001-07:00

Lighthouse and wheel
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

In the Fun Forest at Seattle Center. For those who've never been there, the Fun Forest is this fading relic from the 1962 World's Fair. It's an amusement park, of rusty, peeling paint sorts, that takes up a good portion of the Seattle Center grounds. It's the kind of place that people flock to on weekends in the summer, and at other times it's a ghost town. Very Scooby Doo, you can also hear the voice of Casey Kasem.

cuidado

2008-10-07T23:12:00.003-07:00

cuidado
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

A merry-go-round horse in distress. From the Fun Forest at Seattle Center

objects in mirror

2008-10-07T23:12:00.001-07:00

objects in mirror
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Scooter mirror in Georgetown, Seattle

Alley behind the palace

2008-10-01T16:19:00.001-07:00

Alley behind the palace
Originally uploaded by El Gregein

Reflected window light in the alley behind the Palace Kitchen in Seattle. I saw the light from about a block away. It came from a building with these amberish windows, which gave a nice warm to the brick building across the alley.